With Thanksgiving upon us, this is the week to reflect upon what we are grateful for. I’ve been a very insulated Catholic, growing up at Our Lady of the Lakes school (where I was also married), then falling in love with the St. Anne community where we spent the last 13 years. I’ve spent some time looking at the Catholic world around us, and it’s only deepened my appreciation for our local Parish Family.
According to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate there were 15,913 active priests serving 73 million US Catholics in 2023. There has been a steady decline since 1965 where 34,644 active priests served 50 million US Catholics. Nearly 50% more parishioners, but only 45% of the available priests. By 2025 it is estimated that religious sisters, brothers and priests over 70 years of age will outnumber those under age 70 by nearly 4 to 1. (Cited US Congress of Catholic Bishops).
In our Parish Family we are truly blessed to have three dedicated priests (not of retirement age) to serve us. Honestly, I find it amazing by the numbers how our small parish rates having our own priest. We may be small, but we are vibrant, and we are blessed to have Fr. John in our parish.
Furthermore, I’m blessed to be a part of a strong Knights of Columbus council who have succeeded in a higher level of charity per member than the average council. In addition, each of our Family priests actively support the Knights (which is less common than you might think).
Lastly, as I indicated above, the committed, supportive parishioners of St. Anne are something truly special. It is for this and so many other ways we have much to be thankful for this season.
We are only 75% to our minimum staffing needs for the Candycane Parking fundraiser. If you can help, please visit kofc.org/parking or contact me directly.
Vivat Jesus,
Bryan Born, Grand Knight
(248) 891-9118
